Getting Ready for a Trip to Costa Rica

Published on: 12 July 2018 Last Updated on: 08 August 2019
Costa Rica

There are few holiday destinations as exciting and adventurous as Costa Rica. This stunning Central American country is coated in the thick rainforest with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean, plus it also has one of the more vibrant capital cities in the world in San Jose. Mainly known for its volcanoes, beaches and stunning natural beauty – this is a magnificent country quite unlike anywhere else in the world.

As such a unique holiday destination, there is a fair amount of information that any traveler needs to be aware of before jetting off on their holiday. Here is all that you need to know so that you can head off and have an adventure of a lifetime:

Language :

Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica, but you will also hear English in the more populous area. It is a wise idea to learn the Spanish basics before visiting to make it easier to get by and show that you are making an effort.

Vaccinations :

Before traveling to Costa Rica it is important that you get a range of vaccinations as recommended by the CDC and WHO. These include typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis, rabies, measles, mumps and rubella, and influenza. It is a misconception that Costa Rica is rampant with Malaria and Zika, but you should always get vaccinated and take out travel insurance before jetting off.

Currency :

Over time, the standard accepted currency in Costa Rica has become US dollars with all hotels and tourist companies quoting their prices in dollars. This is due to the fact that the majority of tourists come from the USA, but Costa Ricans also now have bank accounts, mortgages, etc all in US dollars.

Papers :

It is important that you always carry your papers with you when traveling in Costa Rica as police are legally allowed to stop and ask to see the documentation at any time. This means that you should always carry a color copy of your passport and a photo of your tourist stamp.

Water :

Unlike some places, the tap water is generally safe to drink and especially in the larger cities. Your hotel should indicate whether or not it is safe, but be wary if you are in a rural area and always ask first.

Climate :

It is tropical weather in Costa Rica so it will depend on what time of year you are traveling, but there are also many micro-climates so it is wise to pack for all conditions. Typically, the coasts remain warm but there are areas which can get very cold so always research in advance.

Crime :

Generally speaking, Costa Rica is a very safe place to travel and especially when compared with neighboring countries. As when traveling anywhere new, the best thing to do is be sensible and not to flaunt money or leave possessions unattended.

Driving :

If you plan to rent a car, be cautious as driving here is unlike anywhere in the world with no street signs, very relaxed driving laws and poor driving terrain along with wild drivers.

Costa Rica is a wonderful country quite unlike anywhere else in the world with outstanding natural beauty. As a unique destination, it is important that you are well prepared before setting off in order to make the most out of your trip and the above will help any tourist to have an incredible experience.

Read Also :

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Vacation Home

Reasons to Stay in a Vacation Home Rather Than a Hotel

You might be looking forward to your much-needed vacation to rest and relax after working so hard. The first thing on your mind would be to book accommodation that will help you achieve your goals whether you are with your family, friends or significant other. One of the most popular options these days is vacation rentals, as opposed to conventional hotels. Vacation rentals can be luxurious houses, cabins, condos, or even small houses. There are plenty of options you can find, and they can be as small or big as you desire. People also purchase timeshares which give them shared ownership and rights to a vacation property for a set amount of time on a yearly basis. This can be one of the most cost-effective ways to travel regularly. However, if things don't really work out and you want to opt-out of your timeshare, you could read here for the best way to cancel your timeshare. Here are the reasons why vacation rentals are becoming more popular than hotels. Bigger space The average size of a typical hotel room is 325 square feet. Vacation rentals can be twice as big, or even more. A vacation rental allows you to rent a whole house rather than just a room. Why limit yourself? The choice is yours to make. Bigger savings  In general, vacation rentals are more economical than hotels. You can save more if you divide the expenses with your other companions or if you save a bit on your food by cooking your own dishes. Availability You can find vacation rentals in different locations, making it better than hotels if you want to stay in a place that is not filled with so many tourists or in a more remote area. Booking a vacation home may be the solution to stay close to a particular attraction. Perfect for large groups If you are traveling with a large group, chances are you will be booked in separate rooms in a hotel. With a vacation home, you can stay together in nice accommodation. This gives you the chance to enjoy each other’s company in a cozy place or do fun bonding activities without the limitation of space. This makes vacation rentals perfect for big families or a large group of workmates. Before booking, make sure to check the maximum number of persons allowed to stay. Well-equipped kitchen Cooking your own meals can save you a lot, especially if you are traveling as a group. Home rentals are equipped with cooking equipment that allows you to cook whatever you like, which might not always be possible in a hotel. This also allows you to live like a local by experiencing going to the local market for a truly local experience. Most vacation homes also offer laundry facilities. Vacation homes can be your home away from home. The true beauty of staying in one of these relaxing homes is experiencing what it is like to be a local. Most of these accommodation options are located in residential areas and not in touristy hotspots. This gives you the chance to join town fairs or activities, visit local shops or interact with locals for a more enriching experience. If you are looking for a perfect place to stay for your UK vacation, check out thewowhousecompany.co.uk as they have plenty of options to choose from. Read Also: Preparing To Stay In A Luxury Apartment On A Vacation Fun Things To Do When Residing In A Vacation Rental House In Anna Maria Island

READ MOREDetails
Mountain

Why Should Ladakh Be Your Next Travel Destination?

There are a lot of tourist destinations in the world with varying features. A lot of people choose places at high altitude to enjoy wonderful nature and pleasant climate. Are you someone who is fed up of the same old hill station vacation? You ought to visit Ladakh which is about 11,000 feet above the sea level. Ladakh is a city located in North India. It has a mesmerizing landscape, peaks, the world’s highest mountain passes, spectacular lakes, sightseeing spots, and many others. This is the right place for those who want to have a vacation amidst nature. Here are the top reasons why Ladakh should be your next travel destination. Mountain Biking Mountain biking is an extreme sport where motorcycle enthusiast drives through mountain passes at the extreme condition to enjoy the adrenaline rush and also the mesmerizing landscapes. The world’s top three highest mountain passes are found here. Many tourists from various parts of the world visit here for this sports activity. You can also bike along the Indus River and spot some exotic animals. This is one of the best experiences that you can get here. There are various passes that you can choose based on your expertise level. Trails of Trekking Do you love outdoor sport? Do you want to spend considerable time with your family while you enjoy some outdoor activity? This region is the best with no regards to your expertise in trekking. Ladakh has trails for first-time trekkers and also for master trekkers. There are small trails to take hikes with your family or you can also choose great trails like the Frozen Lake trail which would take 3 days to complete. If you are very new to this sport, I would recommend Lamayuru to Ripchar Trek, Padum to Darcha trail and Markha Valley Trek. If you are looking for some moderate trails; you ought to visit Stok Kangri Trek or, take up the route between Rumstse and Kiber. There are a lot of monasteries, spots for enjoying the spectacular landscape and frozen peaks on the trekking path. You can find meadow, lakes and mesmerizing nature in almost all trails. Nature Loving Spots Are you a photographer? Do you love nature? You can find exotic plant and animal species here in Ladakh. If you are bringing your child with you, you ought to visit Hemis National Park. You can find a lot of exotic animals here including snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, wild sheep, nimble ibex, and many others. You can also find to make rare plant species. If you ought to enjoy the plant species, choose summer or early winter season. If you are visiting with your special one, do not miss the lazy strolls in the national park. Also, visit the park during the Hermis festival to witness a dance festival in the monastery inside the park. Hospitality There are a few decent hotels in Leh. But, it is not easy to find restaurants and high-end hotels in other parts of Ladakh. But, you can experience a different style of accommodation here. There are a lot of households here which welcome travelers. You can learn about their tradition and culture during your visit. The famous beverage of Ladakh is butter tea. The tea is pink in color and has a slightly sour taste. Though it is an authentic drink of the place, it is not easy to find decent butter tea in restaurants. But, you can visit households in Ladakh who would serve you this tea with hospitality. Even if you are planning to get back to Leh every evening, I would recommend you to take up home-stay for a few days to get the real kick out of this vacation.  Monasteries What can be interesting in monasteries? These are not just places for worship. Do you like exploration? You can explore these monasteries. Every year, thousands of international visitors come to these monasteries for meditation and stress-relieving. The architecture of the monastery would be a treat for those who love history and art. You can also find interesting stories about monasteries. The top monasteries to visit here are Spituk, Alchi, Lamayuru, Hemis, Tikes and others.  The best time to visit any monastery is at any local festival. Almost all festivals are celebrated in major monasteries. The top festivals to watch are Spituk Gustor, Thiksey Gustor, Losar, Hemis dance festival and others. Lakes There are a few lakes but, each one is unique and awe-inspiring. Pangong Lake is the top attraction in Ladakh. This is the highest saltwater lake found in the world with clear water which changes its color throughout the day. There are a lot of other lakes in this place and people choose camping near lakes as a family activity. You might spot a lot of migration birds if you choose the right season. Lakes are the picturesque places in Ladakh. Rafting Apart from mountain biking and trekking, there are a lot of other adventure activities that are common in Ladakh. The next top activity is rafting. If you are visiting during the rainy season, you ought to enjoy rafting in Indus River as you enjoy the peaks and other landscapes. You can also spot wildlife, some monasteries and also peaks in many routes. Rafting in Zanskar River is the most opted choice by many tourists. Ladakh is a paradise for those who want an adrenaline-filled vacation which would leave you with a lot of memories and experiences. This place has its own prime beauties during each season. If you are visiting during winter, you can enjoy wildlife. If you are visiting in early summer, you can enjoy all adventure activities; if you are visiting in late summer, all attractions would be open and if you are choosing a rainy season, rafting and sightseeing would be enchanting. Explore Ladakh in your own style to enjoy a wonderful vacation. Do not forget to enjoy the cuisine of Ladakh and its signature dishes, butter tea, and cheese made of yak milk. Happy holidays! Read also How about spending the vacation in the Pearl City of India, Hyderabad? Haridwar- The pilgrimage site surrounded by pristine getaways

READ MOREDetails
Jeep

Jeep in the best Desert Safari by playing Off Road Dubai

A real off the road, jeep ride with bumps, jolts and sand await you here Off Road Dubai Desert Jeep Race has been created by Beta Games Studio a the United Arab Emirates based app developer. They have a professional team of developers who have been responsible for designing many other exciting and adventurous games in the past. Off Road Dubai Desert Jeep Race has been created for those who enjoy playing racing games. If you have driven in the Dubai Desert Safari before you may especially enjoy it a lot. It gives you the same experience without the sand blowing up in front of you the entire time. But then again anyone who wants to enjoy the desert safari experience can also play this game. Off Road Dubai Desert Jeep Race Off Road Dubai Desert Jeep Race opens up with the first unblocked level and the player has to drive their jeep in the desert. It is easy to play the game with several levels. As the player finishes one level, the other levels also get unlocked. Initially, there are two game modes to choose from. Either you can drive alone in the desert in the first mode or you can race with other jeeps in the second game mode. In the first solo driving mode, you need to cross checkpoints. The task for the driver is to locate each checkpoint in the desert and cross it. Going beyond the checkpoints is not the objective of this game. A prompt at the top guides you about what you should do to finish the level. While the first game mode is about driving, the second mode is about racing several jeeps. You can enjoy this interactive race in the Arabian Desert environment. A separate wooden trail has been made for the jeeps to race in. The whole desert experience comes to your smartphone or tablet. You can drive through the entire desert with the sand flying high in the wind. The challenging Arab desert environment awaits you in this game. Here you can go up and down the sand dunes in your jeep in a realistic 3D game. Graphics The developers at Beta Games Studio have worked tediously to create a complete desert experience for players. They have provided a realistic 3D desert environment with advanced graphics interplay. Sand keeps flying while you race just like in a real desert, climbing sand mountains seems real and the jeep speeds and jumps up and down while moving over them. Imagine doing all this without getting any sand in your face or in your vehicle. The sound effects are amazing and compliment the game. Overall it feels as if you are really racing or driving inside a desert. The credit for making such a game definitely goes to Beta Games Studio. Having an experience of the UAE, they have created a game that captures the environment perfectly.  Features It is easy to play the game with a user-friendly interface. Even though the controls are quite self-explanatory, the help section also describes them in detail. There is a brake and accelerator control. The green arrow indicates the direction for the jeep to drive in. Pause lets you take a break as you wish during the game. After this, you can carry on whenever you wish. A hint option is available at the top left of the screen that can guide players. An arrow appears pointing in the direction where you are supposed to move. An option to watch a video for hints is also available sometimes. Extreme Jeep Rally Off Road Dubai Desert Safari has all the features you are looking for in a desert safari style jeep racing game. It is not your conventional or classical car racing game. While most racing games are based on highways or roads, this game gives you an off the road experience in a desert amongst sand dunes in a jeep. It has a realistic desert arena where you can climb up and down as long as you wish. This game is free to download and available at this link: https://goo.gl/qE0QFk. You can race to your heart’s content in this game and experience ultimate racing. Read More:  5 Essential Tips For The Traveling Photographer 7 Travel Tips To Feed Your Wanderlust In Europe Why Should Ladakh Be Your Next Travel Destination? Important Things To Transport During A Relocation

READ MOREDetails